Lebanese poet Shawqi Abi Shaqra, one of the first to craft the Arabic prose poem, passed away at the age of 89 on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Abi Shaqra had recently suffered a blood clot, which led to a coma. Although he briefly regained consciousness, he ultimately passed away in the hospital due to complications.

Born in Beirut in 1935, Abi Shaqra’s literary contributions spanned prose, poetry, translations, and literary criticism, leaving a lasting impact on Arab literature.

In his early years, Shawqi Abi Shaqra wrote traditional vertical poems in French before transitioning to prose poetry. His shift to the prose poem came with his third book, “Water for the Family’s Horse”. Abi Shaqra was one of the most prominent pillars of the “Poetry” magazine, and served as its editorial secretary, working alongside influential poets like Adonis, Mohammed Al Maghout, Youssef Al Khal and Onsi Al Hajj.

The rural atmosphere is a hallmark of Abi Shaqra’s poetry, as his works often draw inspiration from nature, plants, flowers, and domestic animals. His collection, “My Confusion Sits: An Apple on the Table”, won the Poetry Magazine Prize in 1962. Additionally, Abi Shaqra translated works of renowned poets such as Rimbaud and Lautréamont.

Shawqi Abi Shaqra founded the first daily cultural page in the Lebanese press and, starting in 1964, managed the cultural section of An-Nahar newspaper for 35 years. Throughout his career, he contributed critical essays on theater, literature, and plastic arts, further solidifying his influence on Lebanon’s cultural and literary scene.